Two merchant vessels were struck by drones in Bulgaria’s Black Sea waters early Tuesday, resulting in the sinking of one ship and the rescue of 18 crew members from another, Bulgarian officials confirmed.
A search operation is underway for the missing crew of the sunken vessel, identified as the Togolese-flagged Alfa Watan, after it was attacked approximately 70 nautical miles east of the coastal town of Byala at around 03:00 local time. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev described the strikes as a ‘flagrant violation of maritime law’ and an ‘absolutely unacceptable’ breach of Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. No survivors or crew members have been recovered from the Alfa Watan, and the number of missing individuals remains unconfirmed.
A second vessel, the Palau-flagged Able, was also struck while transporting grain. All 18 crew members—11 Turkish and seven Indian nationals—were rescued, though two were hospitalized with injuries sustained during the attack. One suffered burns and the other a head injury. The Able’s last reported position was five nautical miles from the Alfa Watan at the time of the incident.
Bulgarian authorities launched a search and rescue operation immediately after the attacks, with a nearby ferry discovering overturned life rafts, life jackets, and debris near the Alfa Watan’s last known location. The Bulgarian government has not attributed the strikes to any specific actor but emphasized the escalating risks to Black Sea shipping amid the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.
Official Responses and Condemnations
Prime Minister Radev convened an emergency meeting of ministers following the incident, reiterating that the attacks complicate navigation, drive up insurance premiums, and threaten maritime security in the region. He stated that if the Ukraine-Russia war is not resolved, ‘it will continue to expand its geographical scope and increase the risk of even a global conflict.’ Radev did not name a perpetrator but framed the strikes as part of a broader pattern of hybrid warfare affecting the Black Sea.
The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned the attacks, calling them ‘unacceptable.’ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky separately accused Russia of striking a civilian vessel carrying corn near Odesa on Monday, though Moscow has not commented on either incident.
Context: Black Sea Shipping Under Strain
The Black Sea has become a high-risk zone for maritime traffic since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia has intensified drone and missile strikes in the region, targeting Ukrainian ports and infrastructure. While Bulgaria is a NATO member, it does not border Russia or Ukraine, though its strategic position in the Black Sea makes it vulnerable to spillover effects from the conflict.
The attacks occurred within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which spans over 29,000 square kilometers. Radev emphasized that such strikes within sovereign waters undermine international maritime law and pose risks to civilian shipping, including potential environmental threats such as oil spills. A search for environmental hazards is ongoing.
Humanitarian and Logistical Impact
The Alfa Watan, a Turkish-owned general cargo ship, was reportedly en route to Sulina, Romania, though its cargo has not been disclosed. The Able, which was carrying grain, sustained damage from a fire ignited during the attack. The rescued crew were transported to the port city of Varna for medical treatment.
Shipping industry sources noted that these appear to be the first such drone attacks in Bulgarian waters, raising concerns about the escalation of maritime conflict in the Black Sea. The incident follows a separate attack near Odesa on Tuesday, where a crew member was killed and seven others injured after a vessel flying the Marshall Islands flag was struck.
Ongoing Investigations and Unanswered Questions
Bulgarian authorities have not confirmed the origin of the drones or the identities of the attackers. The lack of attribution has fueled speculation about Russian involvement, given Moscow’s recent strikes in the region and its history of hybrid warfare tactics. However, no direct evidence linking Russia to the incident has been publicly presented.
Key unanswered questions include:
- The total number of crew members aboard the Alfa Watan at the time of the attack.
- The nature of the Alfa Watan’s cargo and whether it posed additional risks.
- The specific type of drones used in the strikes and their operational range.
The Bulgarian government has called for a thorough investigation and urged international partners to address the growing threats to maritime security in the Black Sea.